Working to protect and enhance the Lickey Hills and their environs
Visitor Centre – The Centre in Warren Lane is currently closed and is likely to remain so into the foreseeable future due to the need for social distancing and issues relating to the café and kitchen. However, whilst closed, work has been taking place on the much needed refurbishment of the toilets.
Visitors – Due to a combination of the restrictions imposed by Covid-19 and the glorious weather in May, there has been an estimated 30% increase in the number of visitors to Birmingham Parks. The increase in the number of visitors to the Lickeys is believed to be much higher than this and as a consequence, a number of problems have arisen.
Cars and car parking – during very busy periods at weekends and over the Bank Holidays, the various car parks were full. This led to an increase in inconsiderate on-road parking which restricted access for larger vehicles including emergency vehicles. On at least one occasion, the police found it necessary to close Monument Lane. On one day, 20 parking tickets were issued by police to cars parked along Monument Lane.
Litter – with the increase in the number of visitors, it is almost inevitable that there will be a surge in the amount of litter. This has certainly been the case on the Lickeys. The situation has improved at the major locations since the litter picking teams have returned. Throughout the lockdown, LHS litter pickers have been at the forefront of volunteer pickers who have been collecting litter in the Country Park and their work is invaluable. If you are walking on the Lickeys, perhaps you could consider doing a little litter picking, bearing in mind the obvious safety precautions including the need for gloves and hand sanitisers.
Fires – there have been many fires in the Country Park in recent weeks due to the dry ground and the illegal and irresponsible use of disposable BBQ’s. During one week there were eight fires on the Lickeys, a number of which required the fire service to extinguish them. The largest blaze was tackled by three fire engines and their crews who were needed to extinguish a fire in 100 square metres of undergrowth. The Rangers and the Emergency Services have urged people not to use BBQ’s on the Lickeys but to use them responsibly at home where there is less chance of harm to the environment or endangering vulnerable wildlife. People have also been urged to take their litter home with them as discarded glass can magnify sunlight and Photo: The aftermath of a fire – Courtesy of the Rangers
cause fires.
Mountain bikers – there has been an increase in the number of bikers visiting the Lickeys to get their thrills on the steep boulder strewn slopes of the Country Park. They are using many paths, large and small and posing a danger to walkers as well as damaging the paths, trees, flora and fauna.
Golf Course – the course was closed during the early stages of the lockdown but since the partial lifting of restrictions, the course has opened again. Head Greenkeeper, Dave Collins reports that bookings are currently at a very high level. The café at the golf club is open for simple take away snacks and drinks.
Public Events – all organised events in City parks and open spaces are currently cancelled until the end of August – that may of course be extended.
Car Park Closing Times – to try and reduce some of the problems that have been occurring on the Hills, both the Monument Lane and Warren Lane car parks are now being closed at 8.30pm. Only time will tell if the early closure of the car parks will have any effect in minimising the problems.
A team from Eversheds Sutherland joined the Tuesday Habitat Heroes volunteers to do some heathland clearance work. They were able to utilise the Tree Poppers that their company donated most of the funds for. The Tree Poppers are proving to be invaluable tools, making light work of an otherwise back breaking and laborious task.
We would like, once again, to extend our thanks to Eversheds Sutherland for their generous donation and now to also thank their hardworking team for their clearance efforts.
Former Poet Laureate of Birmingham, Giovanni Esposito (aka Spoz) and The Lickey Hills Society, are teaming up to publish a collection of poetry and prose, all about their (and everyone’s!) beloved Lickey Hills ... and we want you to be part of it!
You may have a short story, a poem or a piece of prose you want to submit and share. You may have lived around The Lickey Hills for years, lived around the Lickeys then moved away, or just popped by for a day trip, or a round of golf, everyone of all ages are welcome to send in their work.
It is free to enter and entries can be up to a maximum of 400 words. They should be sent by email to lickey.hub@birmingham.gov.uk or dropped into the Rangers at the Lickey Hills Visitor Centre. You may like to submit a picture or photograph to go with your writing too!
The deadline for submissions is Friday 3rd July 2020.
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